The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-01-19
ARCTIC ANIMALS.
THE CHIEF DENIzENS OF THE
FROZEN NORTH.
Animals that Form the Food Sup
ply Of the Native Alaskans--
Seal, Walrus, Grampus
and Polar Bear.

hinged seals ore very numerous IN the
waters of Alaska, and arc caught by the
natives in various ways. During the
winter these phocp, rising to the sur
face, strike against the thin young ice
and m Ike hole. Through these holes
they crawl upon the smooth surface and
lie sleeping at the brink. In the early
spring the first glimpse Of sun induces
them to forsake their watery homes, and
to bask in the warm rays seems to afford
great pleasure to these amphibious crea-
lures. When lying in these positions
the hunter crawls upon all fourS IN as
stealthy a manner as possible.
When, after a gale, the ice is broken
up into small leads, net made of stout
seal hide is stretched across the chasm,
and the seals rising to blow become en-
tangled in the meshes. Within the last
decade breech. loading firearms have
been used by the Mutes in hunting, but
previous to their introduction spears
made with copper or iron heads were
used. the frame for carrying the spear
being carved from walrus ivory. To the
end OF the spear long coil of seal line
is attached. to which, at intervals, blad-
ders of the seal are fastened. In these
ways the hardy natives hunt the animal
which affords them not only food. but
also oil for their lamps and hides for
their clothing.
In the summer, when the ocean IS
again free from the grasp Of the iceberg,
seals disport themselves at the mouth OF
every stream and rivulet, in order to
catch tishor sea fleas. Then the kyack
is called into rcquisition, In this frail
construction of skin and wood the hun
ter, launched upon the waves, paddles
quietly and gently upon the seal until
within range. Naturally very inqulsi-
tive animal, an imitation of the grooming
noise peculiar to the phocs is sufficient to
make seal swim on the top of the water
with his head protruding, thereby insur-
ing a good oh ;ect to aim at. Whistllng
is also resorted to in attracting the seal
to the surface. The variety of seal known
as the '.smooth blackhair,' is highly
priced by the natives throughout the
Territory of Alaska north of Aleutian
Islands. Its large hide forms the cover
ing for boats and canoes, and also serves
as boot soles entirely impervious to water.
Seal meat. as cooked by the natives, Is
of dirty brick red tint, owing to the
fact that when killed the seal is simply
skinned, the blood remaining in the car
cass acting as coloring matter to the
meat. To unaccustomed stomachs seal
meat is unpalatable, its taste resembling
fish more than flesh, while the oily odor
is, of course, prevalent. But if, when
newly caught, seal is bled and the flesh
allowed to soak for a few hours, the
meat. either fried or baked, becomes
palatable. When frozen there is scarcely
any Havor pereeptible in the meat.
There is perhaps no animal in nature
that appears so clumsy and so ill adapted
to locomotion as the enormous walrus.
Upon land they are utterly helpless.
When striving to effecta landing upon
an icehoe or rocks they use their fore
flippers to hold on by and wait for the
assistance of each wave to hoist them
up to the desired spot.
Some idea of the weight of the walrus
may be gained by the statement that the
skin alone averages from 200 to 300
pounds. The entire carcass will certain
iy weigh not much less than ton if the
animal is full grown. Walrus meat is
highly priced by the Mutes. Its taste is
somewhat acrid, but. in common with
Arctic fare, its oleaginous nature renders
it suitable as heat-giving food. The
immense hide is used for covering boats
after being scraped to removed the hairy
surface. In hunting the walrus the rifle
is used by the natives. A walrus bad-
der is eagerly sought after by the Mutes.
1t forms the head of the drum used at
dancing parties.
Schools of white whale-6elnga, or
grampus-are the first of the cctacean
family that appear along the Alaskan
shores when the ice begins to break up.
Their cleaning white color is sensibly
visible as they gracefully cleave the dark
green waters of the sea. Following the
ice pack as it drifts to north and west,
these grampus seem to be the forerunners
of their gigantic brothers, the bowhead
whale bal Una, in their passage to the
northern waters. In hunting these white
whales the natives on Kotzebue Sound
display great ingenuity. A fleet Of
kyacks spread into semi-circle incloses
the school, gradually driving the af-
frightcd fish into the shallow water un-
til, being unable to escape by reason of
grounding upon the beach: they fall easy
vict ms to the spear or harpoons of their
hunters. On the coast to the north of
the sound the rifle again serves as weap-
on to kill the bel.au. The Mutes have
curious custom which is observed when
ever the first white whale of the season is
killed. After the carcass is brought on
shore. the oldest male of the village or
hunting party sits upon the beach, and,
facing the dead whale, intones series
of inyocat;ons to the deceased, imp.or-
ing its split not to return to the sea.
and thereby warn other members of
his family against his captors. Small
portions of the lip and fins are cut off and
buried IN the earth. Before this cere
mony takes place no one is allowed to
commence stripping the blubber or work
ing upon the body. When seal is
brought on shore it is laid upon It's back
and some fresh water poured over its
head so that the spirit will not 60 back
to the sen and warn off the other phoco.
White whale blubber resembles Lin.
burger cheese in taste, while the flesh. if
not calf, is tender and palatable. The
fins. when boiled and covered with
vinegar, are an excellent substitute fol
pigs feet.
lrsts .imrricanus, or the white Polar
bear. is also a food sapplier for the
Nutes The extent of bruins travels in